The TEKEVER Group is launching a new version of the shipborne UAS AR3
NET RAY, now with 8Kg payload capacity, at UMEX 2016 (4B1 STAND). The
new version of AR3 NET RAY increases its payload capacity by 33%, with
the main purpose of proving customers with the option to carry a 25Nm
range maritime radar.

Ricardo
Mendes, TEKEVER COO: "With an extra payload capacity, the goal
is AR3 NET RAY become the smallest UAV on market carrying a maritime
radar. The preliminary tests said that we are right”

According
the company, the preliminary tests are being carried out with success
and the AR3 NET Ray will be the first UAS in its class to offer a maritime
radar capability.

The AR3 NET RAY developed by the TEKEVER group is a shipborne UAS designed
to support multiple types of maritime and land-based missions, including
ISTAR, pollution monitoring, infrastructure surveillance and communications
support operations. It can be launched and retrieved from small vessels,
providing an easily deployable range extender for maritime platforms.

“Because of its endurance of more than 10 hours, its a perfect
fit to support both maritime and medium range land missions”,
said Ricardo Mendes, TEKEVER COO, “and, with an extra payload
capacity and the integration of a maritime radar, our goal is to provide
customers with unprecedented capabilities in a very small and affordable
package. We’re still testing these new capabilities, but we’re
very happy with the results we’re getting”.

The TEKEVER Group is building up a UAS program to perform multiple types
of near shore and maritime missions, including search and rescue, surveillance,
illegal fisheries control, maritime patrol and pollution detection,
among others. The program is a result from the close cooperation between
TEKEVER and the Portuguese Navy.

TEKEVER’s knowledge in maritime scenarios is becoming recognized
by multiple institutions. The European Space Agency and the European
Maritime Safety Agency have selected the TEKEVER AR5 Life Ray Evolution
UAS for a new European maritime surveillance system composed of drones.
The RAPSODY Project, led by TEKEVER, will test this year the use of
unmanned aerial systems in a maritime context through real-world demonstration
of two scenarios: search and rescue missions; and pollution and oil
spill monitoring. The systems will operate over the Atlantic Ocean,
the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. This is the first time unmanned
aerial systems will be introduced into maritime surveillance missions
in Europe.